Pacioretty (Achilles) won't make his season debut Wednesday versus the Rangers, per Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post.

EDGE Analysis

Pacioretty is close to playing though, so perhaps he'll draw into the lineup Friday against the Islanders. The 35-year-old might be eased into the lineup when he does return, but he's likely to eventually serve in a top-six role with Washington. Pacioretty has provided 46 goals and 91 points in 92 appearances over his previous three campaigns.

Pacioretty (Achilles) is "real close" to playing according to coach Spencer Carbery and could be ready as soon as the club's Dec. 27 clash with the Rangers, Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pacioretty signed with the Capitals in the offseason but has yet to make his team debut following his Achilles injury. The 35-year-old winger played in just five games for the Hurricanes last season before getting hurt, so it's unclear what type of player fantasy managers should expect. Still, Pacioretty has six 60-point campaigns under his bet and has reached the 20-goal threshold eight times, making him an intriguing option once cleared to play.

Pacioretty (Achilles) practiced with the team for the first time Wednesday, albeit while wearing a non-contact sweater, Bailey Johnson of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pacioretty appears to be slowly working his way back into shape but he'll need to be cleared for contact before entering the day-to-day range. Still, Wednesday's practice session is a step in the right direction. Once up to full game speed, Pacioretty could be in line for a top-six role with the Capitals, including linking up with one of the power-play units.

Pacioretty (Achilles) is still at least two weeks away from returning, but he has been skating regularly, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Pacioretty hasn't played since Jan. 19 because of the injury and logged just five contests in 2022-23. Even when the 35-year-old does return, it might take time for him to shake off the rust, though there's a good chance he'll get an opportunity to serve in a top-six role. Pacioretty has also excelled in recent years when healthy, contributing 78 goals and 157 points in 163 contests from 2019-20 through 2022-23.

Pacioretty (Achilles) has skated three times over the past couple weeks, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pacioretty hasn't played since Jan. 19 because of his Achilles injury, but he still believes he'll be back, telling Gulitti, "I do know I have a lot of hockey left in me. There was a time where maybe I wasn't as confident in that, a time where I didn't know if I'd play hockey ever again, but I'm coming to the rink every day thinking that this could be my last day here and just enjoying it." There's still no clear timeline for Pacioretty's return, but the fact that he hasn't begun to skate on a regular basis yet doesn't bode well for his availability in the near future.

Pacioretty (Achilles) has yet to resume skating though coach Spencer Carbery told reporters he would begin "soon" Friday, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com.

EDGE Analysis

Pacioretty started the year on long-term injured reserve and isn't expected to return during the first month of the season, but he appears to be trending in the right direction. Even once he starts skating, the veteran winger will likely need some significant practice time before he'll be in contention to take a spot in the lineup.

Pacioretty (Achilles) was put on long-term injured reserve Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Pacioretty will miss at least the first 10 games and 24 days of the 2023-24 season. An exact timeline for his return remains unclear, but head coach Spencer Carbery said during the summer that Pacioretty could end up missing the first month or two of the upcoming campaign. Pacioretty signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Capitals in July after being limited to just five games with Carolina last season.

Pacioretty (Achilles) is not expected to be available for the start of the 2023-24 season, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pacioretty has suffered two torn Achilles tendons since the summer of 2022. Washington head coach Spencer Carbery told NHL.com on Aug. 22 that he doesn't have an exact timetable for Pacioretty's return, but the 34-year-old winger may end up missing the first month or two of the 2023-24 campaign. Pacioretty was limited to just five games last season with Carolina, scoring three goals and posting 16 shots on net. He signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Capitals in July.

Pacioretty (Achilles) signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Capitals on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Pacioretty is coming off an injury-plagued 2022 campaign, scoring three goals in just five games, capped by a torn Achilles in January. Still, the 34-year-old winger is just two seasons removed from a 51-point campaign, making it an intriguing upside signing for the Caps. If healthy, Pacioretty should be firmly in the mix for a somewhat important role for his new team.

Pacioretty (Achilles) was transferred to long-term injured reserve Saturday, per CapFriendly.

EDGE Analysis

Pacioretty isn't expected back before the end of the regular season, though the Hurricanes haven't specified a return timeline for the winger. He tore his Achilles for a second time in less than a year during a game Jan. 19 versus the Wild. His placement on LTIR opens up some cap flexibility for the Hurricanes in advance of the trade deadline, which may allow them to add a top-six-caliber forward to replace Pacioretty.